IHC dismisses ‘blasphemy’ case, declares Rimsha innocent
It will send out a positive image of Pakistan in the international community, says minister for interfaith harmony.
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court (IHC), announcing its verdict, dismissed the FIR filed against 14-year-old Christian girl, Rimsha Masih, who was accused of committing blasphemy, reported Express News on Tuesday.
The verdict was announced on an application filed by Rimsha seeking quashment of the FIR against her.
“The court has quashed the case, declaring Rimsha innocent,” Rimsha’s lawyer Akmal Bhatti told AFP.
Paul Bhatti, the only Christian member of Pakistan's federal cabinet, confirmed that the case had been thrown out by Islamabad High Court.
“I welcome this order. Justice has been done and the law of the land has been upheld by the court,” he told AFP.
“It will send out a positive image of Pakistan in the international community that there is justice for all and that society has risen up for justice and tolerance,” he added.
In an earlier hearing on November 14, IHC Chief Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman had reserved the judgement.
Rimsha was arrested from a slum in Islamabad on August 16 this year after a neighbour accused her of burning papers bearing verses from the Quran, a violation of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.
On September 22, police investigating the case declared prayer leader Khalid Jadoon Chishti guilty, adding that there was no evidence against Rimsha and that he had framed her.
Rimsha and her family, who have been in fear for their lives since the blasphemy allegations, were moved to an undisclosed location after her release on bail on September 8.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC), announcing its verdict, dismissed the FIR filed against 14-year-old Christian girl, Rimsha Masih, who was accused of committing blasphemy, reported Express News on Tuesday.
The verdict was announced on an application filed by Rimsha seeking quashment of the FIR against her.
“The court has quashed the case, declaring Rimsha innocent,” Rimsha’s lawyer Akmal Bhatti told AFP.
Paul Bhatti, the only Christian member of Pakistan's federal cabinet, confirmed that the case had been thrown out by Islamabad High Court.
“I welcome this order. Justice has been done and the law of the land has been upheld by the court,” he told AFP.
“It will send out a positive image of Pakistan in the international community that there is justice for all and that society has risen up for justice and tolerance,” he added.
In an earlier hearing on November 14, IHC Chief Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman had reserved the judgement.
Rimsha was arrested from a slum in Islamabad on August 16 this year after a neighbour accused her of burning papers bearing verses from the Quran, a violation of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.
On September 22, police investigating the case declared prayer leader Khalid Jadoon Chishti guilty, adding that there was no evidence against Rimsha and that he had framed her.
Rimsha and her family, who have been in fear for their lives since the blasphemy allegations, were moved to an undisclosed location after her release on bail on September 8.